He may be fighting on at the ripe old age of 43 after losing large chunks of his prime due to jail time, yet American heavyweight contender Amir Mansour (22-1, 16ko) is not giving up on chasing that dream heavyweight world title opportunity, and is intent on working on one more step toward it by defeating unbeaten Californian Gerald Washington (16-0) this coming Tuesday (13th) on Fox Sports 1 (US).
Nothing Doing Re: Wilder/Jennings
For the last few days a persistent rumour has circled on social media that oft criticised WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder was seeking to squeeze in a fight with countryman and former Wladimir Klitschko foe, Bryant “By By” Jennings.
Wilder is due to face mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin in his next bout, and with Povetkin himself fighting next month in Russia against Mariusz Wach, it’s reported Wilder’s team – including elusive ‘adviser’ Al Haymon – are keen on him squeezing in one more voluntary defense before that time, however, should it happen, that WILL NOT be against Jennings.
George Groves Hunting for New Trainer
British super-middleweight contender George Groves has officially stated that he is on the lookout for a new trainer after splitting from Paddy Fitzpatrick in the wake of last month’s WBC title loss to Badou Jack.
In a bizarre twist of fate, the Sauerland promoted fighter conceded to Sky Sports that he would be receptive to the idea of working with former Carl Froch cornerman and Team GB head coach, Robert McCracken, despite the perceived history of ‘bad blood’ between the two camps.
Gennady Golovkin / Abel Sanchez Interview
ABEL SANCHEZ: Good morning, everybody. We are extremely happy to be part of this epic event. I think it’s about time that promoters and managers and fighters put their records on the line, put their belt on the line, and the best fight the best, and I’m glad that Tom is the kind of promoter for Gennady that’s going to endorse everybody and Oscar being the same way, so we’re finally going to see a fight that the fans have been waiting to see, the kind of fight that the fans have been waiting to see.
David Lemieux / De La Hoya Interview
DAVID LEMIEUX: It’s been a great camp. It’s been a great — it’s been a great training. Everything has been on spot. Never had a more complete camp than this. I have been pushing myself to the maximum with each training, with each exercise, with everything envisioning the big day ahead of me, October 17th, so I did everything I had to do to make sure I have no regrets October 17th, because the plan is to walk out of that — out of Madison Square Garden with those belts and hopefully without a broken nose (Chuckles.)
Bute v DeGale press conference quotes
Keith Thurman/Shawn Porter Showdown Moving Closer
The hotly anticipated welterweight showdown between WBA (reg) champion, Keith Thurman (26-0, 22ko), and friend and old amateur rival Shawn Porter (26-1-1, 16ko) is moving closer to being a done deal according to multiple sources, including ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael.
According to Rafael, a December 12th date is being touted, at an as yet undisclosed location/venue, with Showtime being the favourite to broadcast the fight between the two Al Haymon advised fighters.
Gennady Golovkin: ‘I Will Beat Any Style’ Including Lemieux’s
Ahead of his hotly anticipated Oct 17 middleweight unification with IBF champion David Lemieux, murderous punching WBA (sup) champion Gennady Golovkin, has stated it doesn’t matter what style is presented to him, he can beat them all.
Fans are expecting fireworks from the two massive punchers’ when they meet at Madison Square Garden on HBO PPV, with Golovkin stating that he believes he is the more complete fighter and will be able to adapt to the aggressive, swarming style of Lemieux, before gradually overcoming it.
Smith Confident Ahead of Thompson Title Clash
Smith fights as chief support on the Queensbury Promotions Terry Flanagan/Diego Magdaleno ‘World War III’ card against Thompson, whose team has promised that Saturday’s clash will show up the ‘difference between an A and a B fighter’, claiming their man has been sparring the likes of Andre Ward and Errol Spence in preparation.
Manny Pacquiao lands in Doha and inspires Filipino light flyweight Rogen Ladon
The President of the Qatar Boxing Federation Yousuf Ali Al Kazim and AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu welcomed a true legend of modern boxing, Manny Pacquiao, to Doha for the AIBA World Championships on Thursday morning.
“It was an honour to be invited by Dr Ching-Kuo Wu and AIBA and Yousuf Ali Al Kazim, and it is a pleasure to be here among these exceptional boxers and supporting my fellow countryman Rogen Ladon at the historic first edition of the competition in the Middle East,” said the eight-time World Champion.